Wolves 0

Argyle 1
Gallagher 1

ARGYLE ended a horrific sequence of ten games without a win by defeating table-topping Wolverhampton Wanderers on their own patch.

Paul Gallagher scored the only goal of the game after just 38 seconds and he spent the next 70 minutes feeding of that confidence to torment an unimpressive Wolves team.

The hosts put in the graft but lacked the genuine quality required to penetrate Argyle's brave defence. Gallagher shone, Chris Barker was outstanding, but every man in a Green shirt deserved massive praise for what could prove to be a season-saving performance.

The big news in Paul Sturrock's starting line-up was a full debut for young striker Ashley Barnes, preferred ahead of Kiwi Rory Fallon to partner Gallagher.

Dutchman Marcel Seip made a timely return to fitness to nestle into the heart of Argyle's defence, allowing Chris Barker, converted centre-back in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, to shuffle across to his customary left-back position.

As a result, Gary Sawyer was left out of the squad, although reports from within the camp suggest that his absence was down to an ankle injury picked up in training. The other change saw Chris Clark recalled to the wing in place of Alan Judge, who dropped down a bench, where the axe had fallen on Steve MacLean.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made just one change to the team that battled out a 2-2 draw with Cardiff last weekend. Kyel Reid, on loan from West Ham, replaced the injured Matt Jarvis on the left-wing. Reid's place on the bench went to former Exeter defender George Friend.

The Wolves attack, therefore, contained former Green hero Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who is leading the Championship scoring charts this season with an impressive 21 goals in 33 games.

Argyle enjoyed a dream start with Gallagher reacting quickest to a Jamie Mackie header to steer the ball into the top corner with a superbly executed overhead kick. It had taken just 38 seconds for the Greens to get the first goal that Luggy so often craves.

It was not an overhead kick you would describe as being spectacular but Gallagher's awareness of the situation and ability to convert with his back to goal was something even the home fans had to grudgingly admire.

Wolves have endured a torrid time in recent weeks and they have only retained their table-topping status through the equally patchy form of the chasing pack, and Birmingham and Reading in particular.

Argyle's extraordinary opening to the game prompted a nervy response from the 11 men clad in gold and their concern was mirrored around the stadium, especially when Mackie tested Welsh international goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey with a long-range grass-cutter.

Mackie was again involved in Argyle's next chance against the generous hosts, as he robbed Michael Kightly following a Wolves corner and burst forward with Gallagher in support.

The two-on-one situation was crying out for a measured pass but Mackie's attempt to feed Gallagher was marginally too heavy and Hennessey was able to gratefully pluck Gallagher's attempted return out of the air.

Inevitably, Wolves began to impose their game on the Pilgrims and Kightly, often reputed as the best player in the Championship, managed to bustle past Cathcart and deliver a cross that Ebanks-Blake somehow contrived to steer over from two yards out, and with the goal gaping.

The Kightly threat was rapidly emerging as Argyle's biggest problem and the need for Barker to have a big game became even more apparent as the dazzling winger weaved enough space to fire in another cross that only needed the faintest of touches from a golden boot to level the scores.

Barker won the next battle between the two, tracking Kightly's run across the pitch and timing his eventual tackle with perfection, and Reid's tame shot from the loose ball was comfortably stopped by Romain Larrieu.

It must have been tempting for Luggy's men to simply try and protect their lead, but that would have been ignorant to home side's defensive fallibility, as another poor clearance allowed Carl Fletcher to fire in a powerful volley from distance that only veered wide at the final moment.

Referee Carl Boyeson then had a Graham Poll 2006 World Cup moment. Craddock played the ball back to Hennessey with his thigh, which is perfectly legal, but Boyeson gave a loud shriek on his whistle. To his credit, the official immediately realised his mistake and Argyle's cheeky hopes for an indirect free-kick in the Wolves box were swiftly dashed.

Gallagher then hit a stunning 40-yard pass across the pitch, which was perfect for Barnes, who showed great strength to hold off the challenge of Kevin Foley but was thwarted by a brave low block from Hennessey.

Argyle ended the half in the ascendancy and the resounding chorus of boos for the home side was testament to an excellent 45 minutes from Luggy's men.

The home side continued to suffer from impotence in the final third after the interval and the cries for McCarthy to make changes were growing ever louder from the disgruntled home fans.

Disgruntlement turned into vehement anger moments later as Boyeson waved away claims for a penalty after Reid crumpled under a Mackie challenge. It was never a spot-kick in a million years but the pantomime histrionics from the Wolves bench was a measure of the pressure the home side were under.

The Wolves boss finally obliged to the call for replacements by introducing towering Scottish international Chris Iwelumo for Reid.

As the volume was turned up to an incredible level inside Molineux, the imperious Gallagher continued to be the most effective player on the pitch and he came within a whisker of silencing the vociferous crowd with a low drive from distance after being neatly teed up by Barnes.

Gallagher's outstanding contribution in the forward areas was matched by some heroic defending from Barker, who was not only winning his battle with Kightly but also providing valuable cover to his centre-backs against Wolves' revised three-man attack.

The lack of confidence in the Wolves team was further highlighted by Karl Henry's hesitancy and reluctance to shoot first time after Iwelumo had laid the ball into his path on the edge of the box. Inevitably, he was swamped by Green shirts in a flash.

Argyle's afternoon then suffered a blow as Gallagher limped worryingly out of the game to be replaced by Judge.

It seemed the perfect time for Wolves to strike and after Ebanks-Blake exchanged passes with David Edwards, the equaliser seemed certain but, with the goal at his mercy, the former Green lashed his shot horribly wide.

The battling Barnes was withdrawn by Luggy on 76 minutes with Fallon replacing the exhausted youngster for the final push to victory.

As the clock ticked past 80 minutes, Argyle understandably set up camp in their own half, thus restricting Wolves to long-range efforts, one of which Henry steered well wide.

McCarthy's final roll of the dice was to take off the ineffective Andy Keogh for Welsh international Sam Vokes - the man who broke Green hearts with a late equaliser at Home Park on the opening day of the season.

History would not be repeated today, however, as the Greens held on for a memorable and thoroughly deserved victory.

Wolves (4-4-2): 1 Wayne Hennessey; 32 Kevin Foley, 6 Jody Craddock, 16 Christophe Berra, 11 Stephen Ward (28 George Friend 88); 7 Michael Kightly, 8 Karl Henry (capt), 4 David Edwards, 24 Kyel Reid (19 Chris Iwelumo 58); 10 Andy Keogh (18 Sam Vokes 85), 9 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Substitutes (not used): 5 Richard Stearman, 12 Shane Higgs (gk).

Booked: Henry 64.

Argyle (4-4-2): 1 Romain Larrieu; 33 David Gray, 22 Craig Cathcart, 19 Marcel Seip, 15 Chris Barker; 25 Jamie Mackie, 2 Karl Duguid (capt), 28 Carl Fletcher, 6 Chris Clark; 11 Paul Gallagher (23 Alan Judge 70), 24 Ashley Barnes (14 Rory Fallon 76). Substitutes (not used): 3 Jim Paterson, 5 Krisztián Timár, 17 Craig Noone.

Referee: Carl Boyeson (Yorkshire).

Attendance: 25,710 (1,000 away est.)